Just this time last year, commercial interior construction in South Florida was cresting a wave of near steady growth. Everyone is familiar with what followed next.
Despite the economic downturn induced by the Covid-19 pandemic, commercial construction remains an essential service supporting a variety of industries. As companies evaluate their strategies to return to in-person environments, many are considering southeast Florida.
Adapting the office space
When office workers return, they will interact and engage each other in a different manner. Demands and services from spaces where people work, eat and shop will evolve. Landlords, designers and builders will have to adapt and re-imagine spaces to meet these new tenant usage strategies.
Along with CDC recommendations for sweeping changes to the office environment, employers will also shift to new approaches to ensure their workers feel safe. According to CBRE’s Research Client Survey [1] client attitudes towards maintaining office space remain high.
Despite the trend towards remote working, 95% of the respondents surveyed agreed that the physical office space is necessary for collaboration, productivity, and innovation. Most companies aspire to provide office access for their workers. Achieving this safely and comfortably will be the goal for the office of the future.
Further research[2] supports evidence for employers providing flexible options, with employees balancing their time between the office, home and so-called “flex spaces.” As the office of the future adapts, providing the employee a safe work environment is of great interest.
Whether a company is consolidating or optimizing existing portfolios instead of pursuing expansion, flexible solutions are gaining traction. The buildings that can offer these spaces will succeed in attracting the most competitive leases moving forward.
Redesigning Retail
The retail industry has suffered tremendously from Covid-19. The future for this industry is difficult to forecast due to changing consumer behavior trends. Success in a format like a department store will depend entirely on whether shoppers feel safe going into these public spaces. [3]
Redesigning floorplans and layouts for the new normal could prove advantageous during these unprecedented times. Adapting quickly to this new reality might include measures addressing physical distancing requirements such as altering existing floor plans, adding multiple means of egress and ingress, and upgrading HVAC systems with HEPA Filtration and UV Light Sanitation.
Investing in Medical Laboratories of the Future
According to a report released by the American Institute of Architects “Healthcare construction is one of the few sectors expected to avoid a recession in this cycle” Kermit Baker, Chief Economist for AIA agreed saying, “Demographics remain very positive for healthcare spending moving forward.”.[4]
The Covid-19 pandemic will have a significant impact of the global clinical laboratory services market. Laboratory testing demands have increased and demands for new and more advanced facilities have grown at a staggering rate.
The pandemic has made everyone aware of the need for safe and properly built laboratories for testing and chemical analysis. The demand for these services is driving new construction in these industries.[5] Efforts undertaken now will further drive the market demand in this field.
Looking Forward
It is important to recognize the shortcomings that have been exposed in the light of the recent pandemic. Health and Safety have always been viewed as a necessary expense, not an investment.
However, now it is essential for the return to normal life, regardless of setting or industry. This will be beneficial when showcasing office improvements to prospective recruits, or providing peace of mind to shoppers in public,
In spite of the economic downturn experienced across most every market economy globally, leaders who innovate and adapt quickly will be best positioned to attract success.
Whether you are looking to build new or renovate an existing space, G3 is an innovator in the construction industry and well equipped to assist you in building the ideal space for the future of your business. By adapting physical spaces to our new understanding of safety, G3 has the experience to provide the knowledge and services needed for providing safety and security for all.
To learn more about our story, and how G3 Construction, Inc. became the leader in South Florida Commercial Interior Contracting, please visit our website at www.g3construction.net and follow us on social media for project and company updates.
[1] CBRE (2020, September 20). Future of the Office Survey. CBRE. https://www.cbre.com/-/media/files/the-way-forward/cbre_the-future-of-the-office-september-survey-highlights.pdf?la=en
[2] CBRE (2020, January 18). The End of the Beginning: North America Flexible Office Market in 2020. CBRE. https://www.cbre.com/-/media/files/the-way-forward/the-end-of-the-beginning-north-america-flexible-office-market-in-2020/north-america-flex-office-2020-1.pdf?la=en
[3] KPMG. (2020, October 2). Retail After Covid-19 : A Challenging New Reality. https://advisory.kpmg.us/content/dam/advisory/en/pdfs/2020/retail-after-covid-19.pdf
[4] Baker, Kermit (2020, September 20). Nonresidential Building Spending Projected to Decline. AIA. https://www.aia.org/articles/6312502-nonresidential-building-spending-projected
[5] Cumming Management Group. (2020, September 28). U.S. Construction Market Snapshot Q3 – 2020. https://ccorpinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CCORP20Q3_MIA.pdf
